Ilford FB Classic and FB Cooltone: first impressions

I had a few sheets of each to play with over Christmas and the New Year and have finally got round to writing up some early views of the new papers. They're really, really good and I can't wait to get my hands on some more. I never used to be a fan of cool tone prints but I've changed my mind, even though I didn't have any real cool tone developer to hand.

Great review. Thanks for sharing! Ive had my first batch of both new papers for weeks and still haven't had time to print on them. What's interesting to me about your review is the initial lack of a dry-down effect. I will certainly hope dry-down is less of a factor with the new papers.

I note in the web write-up you mention calibrating your Analyser Pro. As you know, It IS a fairly involved process, and if you have done it for the new papers, would you like to share your settings ;-).

I responded about the drydown on a different forum. And I've only worked with the Cooltone so far, but there is a distinct amount of drydown
which you have to factor in. To me it seems about equivalent to MGWT in the degree of this.

I note in the web write-up you mention calibrating your Analyser Pro. As you know, It IS a fairly involved process, and if you have done it for the new papers, would you like to share your settings ;-).

Many thanks!

Sorry to admit it but I only use the Analyser Pro as an f-stop timer! If I do calibrate it for the Ilford papers - and it's something I should be doing - I'll post the settings on my blog.

I like the feeling of the print. It seems to me like it turned a mundane scene into something to look at. I'd like to know, the tone on the picture, is that the natural tone of the paper, or was that tone introduced by the scanner.? I also like the resolution and detail. did you scan the print or the film , What did you scan it with ?